Macron blames Trump, Netanyahu for French riots coverage

French President Emmanuel Macron attacked US President Donald Trump and other foreign leaders on Wednesday, accusing them of spreading false information about the escalating riots in France and exploiting the unrest for political purposes.

Trump has claimed that Muslim immigration is threatening France, while Macron insists that some of the footage circulating online was generated by artificial intelligence and does not reflect reality on the ground.

"Have we been invaded by masses of immigrants and Islamists? That is an absolute lie," Macron said during a visit to Gulf states. According to the French president, foreign actors have circulated AI-generated images depicting events that never actually occurred. Asked whether his criticism was directed at Trump as well, he replied: "Among others."

From the riots in France (Photo: social media)

Trump claimed last week that the protests in France are not about the education system, but rather what he described as an attempt by Islam to take over the country. After the recent riots, in which more than 2,000 people were arrested and numerous shops were looted or damaged, he wrote: "France is burning!" and called on authorities to close the borders and restore control of the country.

Meanwhile, French far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of interfering in France's presidential election. According to Mélenchon, "We are not the danger, Netanyahu is," claiming the Israeli premier is influencing voting in Paris, Toulouse and Marseille.